HANOVER, N.H.— The Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association once again dominated the national stage as Utah claimed the 2026 NCAA Skiing Championship, marking the Utes' fifth title in six years and continuing the RMISA's unprecedented run of excellence. RMISA programs swept the top three team positions — Utah, Colorado, and Dartmouth — and combined to win six of the eight individual NCAA races.
Day 1 – Alpine Opens with Colorado in Command
The 2026 championships opened under clear skies at Park City Mountain Resort with the slalom races, and the RMISA quickly set the tone. Colorado grabbed the early team lead with 148 points after two events, followed by Denver (107) and Utah (87).
Denver's Sara Rask kicked off the week by defending her NCAA title in the women's slalom (1:33.25), narrowly edging Vermont's Justine Clement (1:33.31) and Colorado's Magdalena Luczak (1:33.32).
On the men's side, New Hampshire's Jayden Buckrell claimed the championship in 1:27.17, just ahead of Colorado's Filip Wahlqvist (1:27.20).
Top 5 – Men's Slalom
1. Jayden Buckrell, UNH – 1:27.17
2. Filip Wahlqvist, CU – 1:27.20
3. Bode Flanigan, BC – 1:28.12
4. Oscar Zimmer, DAR – 1:28.36
5. Harrison Digangi, CBC – 1:28.42
Top 5 – Women's Slalom
1. Sara Rask, DU – 1:33.25
2. Justine Clement, UVM – 1:33.31
3. Magdalena Luczak, CU – 1:33.32
4. Justine Lamontagne, MSU – 1:33.37
5. Zoe Zimmermann, DAR – 1:33.45
Day 2 – Nordic Racing Tightens the Team Chase
The Nordic competition opened at Soldier Hollow with the 7.5-kilometer classic races, where Dartmouth surged to the top of the standings midway through the meet. The Big Green led with 267.5 points after four events, just ahead of Colorado (262) and Utah (257).
Utah's Erica Laven won the women's classic in 23:43.3, leading a 1-5-8 performance for the Utes as they surged in the to get back into the mix in the team standings.
In the men's 7.5K, Dartmouth's John Steel Hagenbuch took the title in 20:52.8 ahead of Vermont's Finn Sweet and Utah's Joe Davies. CU's Will Koch finished fifth (21:51.9) and helped the Buffs stay in contention.
Top 5 – Men's 7.5K Classic
1. John Steel Hagenbuch, DAR – 20:52.8
2. Finn Sweet, UVM – 21:08.1
3. Joe Davies, UU – 21:19.5
4. Luke Allan, DAR – 21:48.1
5. Will Koch, CU – 21:51.9
Top 5 – Women's 7.5K Classic
1. Erica Laven, UU – 23:43.3
2. Annie McColgan, UVM – 23:54.4
3. Jasmine Drolet, DAR – 24:14.3
4. Ava Thurston, DAR – 24:21.6
5. Celine Mayer, UU – 24:38.9
Day 3 – Alpine Leaders Regain Momentum
The alpine teams returned to action for the giant slalom, where Utah made a decisive push. The Utes won both GS titles to vault into the overall lead with 417 points, ahead of Colorado (382) and Dartmouth (380) after six of eight races.
Utah's Johs Herland captured the men's giant slalom in 1:53.35, leading a 1-5-8 showing for the Utes. Colorado's Filip Wahlqvist earned another podium, finishing third (1:53.66).
On the women's side, Denver's Sara Rask completed a perfect alpine sweep, winning the GS in 1:56.23.
Top 5 – Men's Giant Slalom
1. Johs Herland, UU – 1:53.35
2. Benny Brown, DAR – 1:53.54
3. Filip Wahlqvist, CU – 1:53.66
4. Bradshaw Underhill, MID – 1:53.69
5. Simen Strand, UU – 1:53.83
Top 5 – Women's Giant Slalom
1. Sara Rask, DU – 1:56.23
2. Justine Lamontagne, MSU – 1:56.88
3. Hanna Larsson Nathhorst, UVM – 1:57.94
4. Carmen Nielssen, UAA – 1:58.02
5. Kaja Norbye, UU – 1:58.16
Day 4 – Utah Closes It Out in Nordic Freestyle
Utah sealed the championship with dominant performances in the freestyle races, outscoring the field by more than 70 points on the final day to finish with 590 points overall. Colorado was second at 513, and Dartmouth third with 508. RMISA teams occupied the top four spots and seven of the top eight overall.
Utah's Joe Davies won the men's 20K freestyle (43:33.9) and teammate Brian Bushey took third.
In the women's race, Alaska Fairbanks' Kendall Kramer earned her first NCAA title in 50:14.2, with Utah's Erica Laven second and Colorado's Tilde Baangman taking third.
Top 5 – Men's 20K Freestyle
1. Joe Davies, UU – 43:33.9
2. John Steel Hagenbuch, DAR – 44:44.1
3. Brian Bushey, UU – 45:11.3
4. Ben Dohlby, UAF – 45:39.8
5. Logan Moore, MID – 45:48.9
Top 5 – Women's 20K Freestyle
1. Kendall Kramer, UAF – 50:14.2
2. Erica Laven, UU – 50:49.6
3. Tilde Baangman, CU – 51:01.8
4. Lea Wenaas, DU – 51:15.1
5. Selma Nevin, UU – 51:30.6
Final Team Standings
1. Utah – 590
2. Colorado – 513
3. Dartmouth – 508
4. Denver – 384
5. Vermont – 368
6. Middlebury – 252.5
7. Alaska Anchorage – 251
8. Montana State – 234
9. New Hampshire – 208
10. Alaska Fairbanks – 176
RMISA Dominance Continues
With Utah's title, RMISA programs have now combined to win 13 of the last 14 NCAA Championships, continuing an era of unmatched regional strength. The Utes claimed three individual NCAA Champions while the Pioneers had one and Alaska Fairbanks another, while RMISA skiers accounted for six of eight individual winners and more than half of all podium finishers.
The 2026 championships again underscored the balance, depth, and consistency that define the RMISA—where the nation's premier collegiate skiers continue to set the standard year after year.
| Date | Race |
|---|---|
| Mar. 5 | Women's Slalom |
| Mar. 5 | Men's Slalom |
| Mar. 6 | Women's 7.5K Classic |
| Mar. 6 | Men's 7.5K Classic |
| Mar. 7 | Women's Giant Slalom |
| Mar. 7 | Men's Giant Slalom |
| Mar. 8 | Women's 20K Freestyle |
| Mar. 8 | Men's 20K Freestyle |
| Date | Headline |
|---|---|
| Mar. 8 | Utah Claims National Championship |